Tag: Natuna

Indonesia holds military drill at South China Sea islands

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — The Indonesian air force Thursday held a major exercise around its islands in the South China Sea where there have been clashes with Chinese vessels in waters claimed by Beijing. Thousands of personnel as well as F-16, Sukhoi and Hercules planes took part in the drill around the remote Natuna islands in the far northwest of the archipelago, with President Joko Widodo in attendance. Military spokesman Tatang Sulaiman said the exercise […]

Indonesian leader visits islands after China clashes

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo was Thursday set to visit remote islands close to waters where Chinese and Indonesian vessels have repeatedly clashed, as tensions mount between the nations in the South China Sea. Widodo aims to assert Indonesia’s sovereignty over the Natuna Islands in the northwestern fringe of the archipelago during the trip and is accompanied by a high-level delegation including the foreign minister and armed forces chief, the government said. […]